Joan Marie Maciejewski

Joan Marie Maciejewski
Bay City, Michigan
Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away Thursday, October 31, 2024, at her home with her family by her side, age 86. Joan was born July 16, 1938, in Hampton Township to the late Anthony J. and Myrtle E. (Mulders) Walthers. She was a member of All Saints Parish-St. James Church, and the AMVETS Post 22 Ladies Auxiliary. She met Edward W. Maciejewski, Jr. on a blind date arranged by Ed's mother and Joan's Aunt Tina. They were married at St John the Evangelist February 17, 1962. They were together through thick and thin for 62 years and he survives her.
Joan volunteered as a Teacher's Aid while their children attended St. James Elementary School. She was employed at the Meijer Pharmacy in Essexville, and later the South End Pharmacy for many years. Joan eagerly looked forward to a week's long summer vacation on a Michigan lakeshore. She loved the water and took adult swimming lessons following the example set by her two esteemed older sisters. Joan also made two memorable trips to Europe, visiting St. Peter's Basilica and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. She delighted in her morning coffee, a good book and a great sale. She often enjoyed visiting with nieces, nephews, and, of course, her grandchildren, attending many of their special events. Joan will always be remembered for her amusing wit and clever humor.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband Edward, three daughters: Karen (Tracy A.) Cleaver, Kathy King, and Kim Rychel, grandchildren: Laura, Emma and John D. Cleaver, Amanda Reinhart, Carl King, Brandi King, Kayla Rychel, and Kelsey Rychel, great-grandsons Derrik and Colton King, brothers and sisters: Bill Walthers, Arlene Rosolowski, Nancy Gwizdala, Judy (Jim) Naessens, Linda (Ted) Malesky, and Bob (Mary) Walthers, brother-in-law Bob (Vicki) Maciejewski, and many nieces, nephews and cousins to include Ruthanne Radford and Bonita Miller. Joan was predeceased by her parents Anthony and Myrtle, father and mother-in-law Edward and Irene Maciejewski, Sr., sisters Joyce, Elaine, and Diann Walthers, brother Raymond Walthers, brother-in-law Albin "Big Al" Gwizdala Jr.; niece Michelle E. Anuszkiewicz, nephew Michael Rosolowski, Jr, brother-in-law Don (Joy) Maciejewski and sister-in-law Nancy (Chuck) Ducap.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 11:00 AM at All Saints Parish-St. James Church, 710 Columbus Ave., Bay City, MI 48708. Fr. Jose Maria Cabrera will celebrate Mass, and interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery. Family and friends will gather at the church on Thursday, November 7 from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider donations in memory of Joan to the Bay County Library System (https://www.baycountylibrary.org/support-library/donate) or the American Cancer Society. Family and friends are invited to AMVETS Post 22 following burial at the cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Ambrose Funeral Home, 1200 Garfield Ave., Bay City, MI 48708. www.ambrosefuneralchapel.com.